Discuss the Politics, Economics, and Events of the New New York 23rd Congressional District (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, (Eastern) Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates Counties)

Yeah, we want hope and change, but we want people to have the hope that they can advance on their own merits, rather than the hope that somebody gives them something.–Charles Koch

A guest editorial by Charles Koch which appeared in the Elmira Star-Gazette on August 25, details Koch’s political views. The editors note that Charles Koch is a donor to libertarian causes and how! Subversive libertarian causes would be more like it. Let’s examine what Koch has to say.

Too many businesses focus on getting subsidies and mandates from government rather then creating value for customers. (Koch then cites a Mercatus Center Study without mentioning that he founded and funds the Mercatus Center)

Claims he learned the value of hard work from his father; neglects to mention he inherited an immense fortune.

Claims social safety net discourages people from working (Actually, research shows that Americans prefer to work and will work even at difficult, low-paying jobs if they can find them)

Koch concludes somewhat lamely:

It’s time to let people seek opportunities that best suit their talents, for businesses to forsake cronyism and for government to get out of the way.

Tom Reed, whose campaign is funded by the Koch’s, shares many of Koch’s views: regulations hurt business, the unemployed can find jobs if they look, the social safety net kills initiative, low taxes for the rich, low minimum wage or better none at all. One view that Reed doesn’t share is opposition to cronyism–hardly a libertarian, Reed welcomes tax money spent in NY-23.

Koch’s views are self-serving–he favors low wages without benefits, freedom to pollute the environment for profit, and low taxes which help his business and allow his family to retain inherited wealth. While decrying cronyism, Koch spends untold sums corrupting government with his money.

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About whungerford

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Contributor at NewNY23rd.com where we discuss the politics, economics, and events of the New New York 23rd Congressional District (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, (Eastern) Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben,Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates Counties) Please visit and comment on whatever strikes your fancy.

3 Responses to How to turn the economy around according to Charles Koch

Ugh. I read this uber-libertarian plan for the eventual creation of the Koch kingdom, in the Ithaca Journal yesterday morning. I couldn’t believe it was printed as an editorial type piece.
Tom Reed likes tax money to come to the NY23rd? Without offsets? Or did you mean Tom likes tax money coming to the gas and oil companies that support him?
Poor Tom Reed. “Tom only pawn in game of [political] life”.